Subject:Subtract tracts

Posted by: 4110

Date:7/31/2004 12:21:17 PM

Hi,

Is it possible to subtact one audio tract from another to produce a difference tract?

Thanks

Subject:RE: Subtract tracts

Reply by: MJhig

Date:7/31/2004 1:50:51 PM

You're must be much more specific and detailed.

MJ

Subject:RE: Subtract tracts

Reply by: rraud

Date:7/31/2004 4:54:07 PM

Without insults, ranting, cussing, spitting on the ground and aggravating Red, Chien, myself and others, if your asking: Question "Can I separate out just the vocals from a song to remix it or make a karaoke version?"
The official Sony answer:
After music has been mixed it can be difficult - if not impossible - to isolate specific elements of the audio mix and remove them without drastically changing the overall sound. The various instruments, vocals, etc., are combined into left and right channels in the stereo field. After this, it is only possible to adjust volumes for certain frequencies using EQ. Instrumental versions of songs that are commercially produced are made by removing the vocal tracks from the mix before final mixdown.

There are some DirectX plug-ins available that are labeled as vocal removers. These work on the basis that vocals will be located right in the center of the stereo field. They drop out everything mixed right in the middle, which can sometimes take out the vocals. Unfortunately, it would also remove any other instrumentation mixed in that same location. Also, if there is any reverb, chorus, or other effects applied to the vocals the whole process usually goes awry.

Subject:RE: Subtract tracts

Reply by: MJhig

Date:7/31/2004 6:13:58 PM

Well, rraud, I was giving him the benefit of the doubt before I gave him the answer to the question I thought he was asking and of course he wouldn't like.

Funny thing is rappers and DJs want to do the above most (followed by singers for karaoke) and since the center is removed, even if the vocals can be removed, the kick, snare and bass are pretty much guaranteed to be removed as well. What good is a rap/hip hop tune with no drums? ;-)

So, does A - B = C?

MJ

Subject:RE: Subtract tracts

Reply by: 4110

Date:8/1/2004 9:13:13 AM

Hi guys,

Thank you for your help. Sorry I wasn't more clear. No, I am not trying to remove vocals. My daugter and her friend made a little movie. There were only two actors (both girls) and about five roles, including a bad guy. My daugter played three roles including the bad guy. I wanted to distinguish between the parts and also add a little "guy" flavor to the bad guy role by lowering the pitch when "he" talks. I have the original audio with two little girl voices. I made a copy and then silenced portions of the tract where one girl speaks. What I want to do now is subtract that from the original so that I am left with an audio tract where the other girl speaks.

Thanks,

David

Subject:RE: Subtract tracts

Reply by: rraud

Date:8/1/2004 11:10:55 AM

4110, we are all glad did not ask "the question."
Vegas is what you need for your project. It would be difficult and time consuming in Sound Forge..... And just about impossable if your dealing with picture sync.

Subject:RE: Subtract tracts

Reply by: 4110

Date:8/1/2004 3:35:22 PM

Hi rraud,

Thanks for your help. To subtract audio tracts I figured I needed a dedicated audio editor, but I do have Vegas as well. How do I do it there?

David

Subject:RE: Subtract tracts

Reply by: MJhig

Date:8/1/2004 5:17:10 PM

Neither SF or Vegas have a "subtract data" tool but you will ultimately want each voice on a separate track so that's where Vegas becomes key.

What I would do (easier in Vegas) is set up tracks with the "original in T1, the next actor in T2 and so on.

Since you have already deleted all but the desired voice for one of the files it makes it easier to line up both the track with the cut out actor under the original giving you a visual reference using the waveform so you don't have to listen to the entire original continuously.

Setting up markers or regions would aid in this process also, you can simply delete each region that contained the last actor from the original each time, especially in Vegas because the regions/markers apply to all tracks where as in SF if you stacked files they would only apply to the file you added them to.

Not having multi-track recording capability makes it necessary to do this tediously.

MJ

Subject:RE: Subtract tracts

Reply by: 4110

Date:8/2/2004 6:10:31 AM

MJ,

OK, Thanks for the advice.

David

Subject:Remove Vocal 4

Reply by: Rednroll

Date:12/16/2004 7:35:25 PM

<Bump> :-)~